Planning Commission Chair Tony Powers Running For Decatur City Commission
Decatur Metro | August 20, 2015 | 10:37 amDecaturish is reporting this morning that Planning Commission Chair and co-owner of Intown Ace Hardware, Tony Powers, is running for the At-Large City Commission seat being vacated by Mayor Jim Baskett.
Former City Commissioner John Ridley has also announced his candidacy for the At-Large seat, which is the only citywide seat on the commission.
It looks like the qualifying period for this year’s election will be August 31st thru September 4th.
Photo courtesy of South Fork Conservancy website
I like what I see. A lifelong Decaturite, local business owner, active in the community…
Looking forward to watching his campaign.
Great news!!!
I am a fan of Tony Powers. He runs a great business, he’s very supportive of Decatur events, and has always been nice to me. I have no idea of his stands on issues but I look forward to learning about them.
Great news!
I’ve been hoping he would run!
Great news!
Good to see new leadership emerging
Tony is a stalwart and in no way an ideologue. As a business owner, he knows both vision and how to get there while balancing all kinds of competing interests. Remember, this is the guy who, when faced with the prospect of Walmart opening up down the street (which usually gets small retailers quaking in their boots), basically said no worries — that he was going to continue to thrive the way he always has: by taking the time to understand what the people of Decatur need and want better than anyone else.
This is not a paid endorsement but Tony is a friend of mine. He’ll have my vote.
Long before Walmart a lot of people thought the opening of the Home Depot on L’ville would be the end of Intown. Tony and his partners did react by selling the Lumber Yard on E. Ponce, but the main store not only survived, but has thrived in the years since. I also think Tony is a good candidate and certainly more attractive than the other candidate currently in that race.
Excellent!
This is wonderful news! Go Tony! We need you! You will be amazing. I am a huge fan of the man, the dad, the community leader, DHS alum, and owner of one of the best stores around.
I don’t know Tony personally, other than encountering him a few times at ACE, but I know that store intimately, and if he brings the same care and acumen to managing Decatur that he has to managing Intown ACE, he has my vote.
With Both Tony Powers and Brian Smith running (for different seats) I am very pleased with the people stepping up to help lead Decatur! both area Great people.
YESSSS! This is excellent news!
You might be off the hook re running- for this election anyway.
I don’t mind!!! 😀
Game-changer!
Best news I’ve read in a long time!!
Excellent news! Tony is a quality guy, runs a great business and has been active in Decatur’s civic life for years. I’ll even overlook his UGA background to vote for him.
Tony is a good, smart, civic minded man and I wish him luck. He will be an asset to the Commission.
I’m a member of the Tony Fan Club too! He’s got my vote!
Tony is the right man for the job – deep ties, thoughtful and a born leader. Exciting news!
Excellent news. Tony is a pragmatic, honest and honorable gentleman – great news for Decatur.
If Tony can help run Decatur like he runs the Ace, then we’ll have a well run city and popcorn for everyone at all of the commission meetings.
Tony has already earned my vote for Best Small Business Owner (along with Dave Jones), Best Dad, Best DHS Alum, and Nicest Guy To Meet Around Decatur but he will have to earn my vote for commissioner. He will have to explain his recent vote to deny the sale of private property based on “the greater good”. Where does he stand on the upcoming diversity summit? Does he favor future annexation of business and/or residential communities around Decatur? Is he concerned about the huge debt the city has generated over the last few years? Where did he stand on the tree ordinance and other recent ordinances that greatly increased the regulatory power of the city? Does he favor “smart growth” and continued apartment development in downtownn Decatur? Does he support shifting the crushing tax burden or reducing it for all taxpayers? And what about crying?
“… And what about crying?” (Interruption: “Are you ready to go?”)
Voters will support a candidate for a variety of reasons, many of which are listed in the previous 23 comments. There are also many Decatur voters who will rely on “diversity” as the all important characteristic. I am not immune to voting for a candidate based on non-issues one of which may be, “Mr. Billingsley, I promise that if elected, I will reframe from crying while serving as a commissioner.”
Until the election, I suggest that voters take the time to look beyond the names of the candidate’s supporters and past accomplishments (not to say these aren’t important) and find out where the candidates stand on the important issues facing the city.
I’m thrilled to see Tony throw his hat into the ring. Along with many others, my main source of interaction with him has been through ACE. It’s not just that he runs a good business, but my interactions with him have left me with the impression that he is a genuinely thoughtful person who cares about his city, his business, and his employees. I think having someone with the perspective of a small business owner is exactly the type of economic development expertise we need on the council.